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Building surveys

When you are buying a home it is important to get a surveyor's report about the property's overall condition. A surveyor is a qualified building inspector who can identify any problems or weaknesses with your prospective purchase.

Buying a property

When you are thinking about buying a property it’s a good idea to find out whether there are any problems with the structure. You should also know if any repairs or alterations need to be made. A property survey may save you time and money in the long run if you uncover expensive defects before you buy. There are different types of survey to choose from according to the amount of information and advice you require about the property.

What survey?

There are four main types of survey:

  • valuation: this will be carried out by your mortgage company if you need a mortgage to buy the property
  • condition: this is a basic least expensive survey that will give you a general overview of the property and gives a summary of any problems that need attention
  • homebuyer: a more extensive and detailed survey and gives additional information like insurance valuation and advice on repairs and maintenance
  • building: recommended for older, unusual or altered properties and those in need of work, or simply for peace of mind - although expensive, it's worthwhile

Who can carry out a survey?

Make sure that the person doing the survey is qualified to do so. It should be done by a qualified surveyor, who is a member of the .Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

You can contact RICS to find a suitable surveyor in your area, using the link below:

New properties

If you buy a property that is less than ten years old, it may be covered by a building warranty. The warranty is a guarantee that covers you if there are any defects that come to light and need fixing. The warranty provider may offer to fix or pay out money if certain defects or problems arise with the property. You should make sure you know what types of defects are covered by the warranty and which are not. The warranty will usually transfer to the new owner if you sell the property within the period of the warranty.

What to do if things go wrong

You may find your new purchase has a problem that you feel should have been spotted by your surveyor,. If so, you should complain in writing to the person or organisation that carried out the survey. If you are not happy with the response you can take it up with the RICS, if the surveyor is a member or seek legal advice.

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